PHARMACIST-PATIENT COMMUNICATION RISES, BUT PERSONAL RELATIONS SUFFER

Published Online: Friday, December 1, 2006

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Communication between pharmacists and patients is increasing, and consumers
are more likely than ever to seek advice from pharmacists about
drugs, the American Pharmacists Association's (APhA) new pharmacy consumer
survey found.

Nearly 2 of every 3 persons (65%) filling a prescription for the first time were
likely to ask their pharmacist a question, concluded the APhA survey. At the same
time, however, officials at the pharmacy group were distressed to learn that personal
relations between pharmacists and patients appear to be suffering.

Only 20% of the consumers polled for the 2006 survey said that they are on a
first-name basis with their pharmacist. This finding is a source of concern for
APhA because "previous pharmacy consumer surveys have found that patients
who know their pharmacist by name are much more likely to seek advice."

"There's a clear connection between [consumers], their relationship with the
pharmacist, and their knowledge of how to use medications," said APhA
Pharmacists Month Spokesperson Karen Reed, BPharm. "Without the right
knowledge, medications can be ineffectiveand downright risky."